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How to Build a Better Weed Eater

Weed eaters, or string trimmers, are universally unpleasant due to the frenetic sound of their two-stroke motors. The motors, however, are convenient because of their high power-to-weight ratio. Gas-powered weed eaters don't need to be that noisy. A sound-absorbing enclosure can be fabricated and fit to the power head, leaving about 2 inches of ventilation between the sound insulation and cylinder heat.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape
Plastic planter or fiberglass
1 can of spray-on foam insulation
Butter knife
Polyester fiberglass resin
Foam brush
Drill
3-inch-long replacement head bolt
2 washers
2-inch steel head bolt tube spacer

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the power head or engine portion of your weed eater.
- 2
  Trim a plastic flower pot with a hacksaw (or fabricate your own fiberglass power-head cover) such that it can be placed over the power head, leaving 2 to 3 inches of space between the cover and the power head.
- 3
  Spray the inside of your power-head cover with spray-foam insulation so that it is about 1 inch thick. If the foam expands too much, shape it with a butter knife, the way you would shape frosting on a cake. Then, allow it to dry and harden.
- 4
  Mix two-part polyester resin used in fiberglass applications. With a foam brush, paint the resin over the spray foam. Apply several coats, allowing the resin to dry in between applications and cover thoroughly as the spray foam's surface is flammable.
- 5
  Drill a hole in the bottom of the pot.
- 6
  Remove one of the head bolts.
- 7
  Replace the head bolt with an identically threaded bolt that is 3 inches longer. As you replace the bolt, fit a 2-inch tube spacer and washer. Slide the washer over the bolt; slide the bolt and washer through the underside of the pot and slide a second washer onto the bolt. Slide the spacer onto the bolt and tighten onto the weed eater, creating a sound-deadening cover with enough air space for cooling.

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